A cool breeze and partly cloudy skies greeted the runners gathered at Colyer Lake to climb the spiny Treaster Kettle Road to Bear Meadows and then return.

Today’s run had ideal conditions, and I was reminded again of the amazing experience one gets running in Rothrock State Forest. Birds were singing all around, and as the group transitioned from Lake Road to Treaster Kettle Road, a rooster crowed, as though to announce our arrival. Honeysuckle was in the air, and the babbling brook in the early going took at least one mind off the challenges ahead. A cool, gentle headwind and plenty of shade kept things comfortable on the return trip as well.

A speedy front pack moved quickly over the course, with Joseph Clark leading at the finish and Andrew S and Andrew Hanna taking second and third.

Leah Narkevic led the women’s field, with Madeline Margevicius and Lisa Gentile taking second and third.

Three runners have run all of the “official” Tussey Teasers #1 through #4 (March 2 through June 9) so far, and one of these also ran the “bonus” (Feb. 2) Teaser #0. All three are in the running for a “grand prize” to be awarded on June 16 after the final Teaser, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon. Those three are: Eliza Gabel, Keith Henderson and David Lloyd.

Special thanks to Elsa Hansen for picking up the post-race Subway sub and finish line recording, to the Jake Clement Family for finish line assistance, and to Nicole Pote for photos.

A big thanks to Subway Restaurants for its enthusiastic support of the 2019 Tussey Teasers Series. Thanks also to Appalachian Outdoors and Webster’s Bookstore and Café for donated prize items.